Halloween is just around the corner! This is an exciting and celebratory time for individuals of all ages. Throughout the month of October there are Halloween parties, dress up opportunities and sugar overload.

Along with the excitement of the season, it is important to be aware of certain safety precautions so that individuals do not find themselves in dangerous situations.

Here are helpful safety tips for individuals on Halloween:

When Crossing the Street on Halloween:

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
  the left as possible.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

For Children Trick-or-Treating:

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct an individuals vision.
• Carry glow sticks or flashlights to help one see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to individuals who may dart into the street.
• Take extra time to look for people at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible – even in the daylight.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of an accident, take advantage now of the experience and resources of one of Jacksonville’s leading personal injury law firms. Contact McGRATH GIBSON for a free case evaluation at (904) 358-3300.